The Director General read a confidential letter from the Prime Minister.
1.
CENSORSHIP WITH REFERENCE TO THE MINISTER'S VISIT TO PARIS
.
Sir Walter Monckton explained the recent discussions about the desirability of bringing in measure of compulsory censorship of the Press. The question had arisen out of the necessity for providing a scheme which would work when bombing or evacuation had taken place. Moreover the French had for some time been very anxious that we should introduce effective censorship of the Press. The discussion had first taken place on the basis that a scheme should be brought in only after evacuation. Then It had been thought it should take place if considerable bombing of London began; now it was for consideration whether something should not be done forthwith.
The Director General observed that the Minister was seeing M. Frossard very soon and the latter had requested him to discuss the subject. It was therefore necessary for the Policy Committee now to decide what to advise the Minister, who in turn would wish to get Cabinet backing before he left.
Sir Walter Monckton said that the scheme drawn up by Mr. Radcliffe was that war news should be confined to Government bulletins and news given over the tapes (and as such subject to censorship). Comment would be compulsorily censorable and speculation would be forbidden. As this was a far-reaching proposal he had not yet put it to the Will Committee who were certain to oppose it, but had consulted Mr. Barrington Ward, who had expressed apprehensions. (Copy of letter Annex 1). Mr. Barrington Ward had suggested compulsory censorship with censors out-posted.
In the discussion which followed it was pointed out that this would require an addition of about 150 to the staff. If communications broke down uniformity would be still more difficult or impossible, and there appeared to be no way in which the scheme could be applied to the 900 provincial newspapers as well as to the national newspapers. The Director General observed that the centres at which the national newspapers were produced might well suffer first, end provincial newspapers might greatly increase in importance. He felt that the contentions of Mr. Barrington Ward that the measure would have repercussion on morale, and moreover drive people to listen to English news from foreign sources, had considerable weight.
Mr. Kirkpatrick recalled the system in force in Germany. There was no censorship but representatives of the newspapers were summoned to the Ministry of Propaganda every morning and given directives. If they did not carry them out as the Ministry of Propaganda desired they were penalised by being suppressed for a time, or by having their offending journalists removed from the approved panel. In the discussion which followed it was pointed out that this gave extraordinary powers to the Minister which would create very great opposition however severe the emergency. Moreover Mr. Ryan observed that there were practical difficulties in the directive system. A negative directive was helpful and could be followed. A positive directive, such as that one aspect of the news was of greater importance than another, led to great confusion and friction when a rapid change in the situation occurred.
The Director General considered that M. Frossard would press hard that compulsory censorship should be brought in forthwith. He would make a second point that there should be a joint delegation at a common point of view in relation to the censorship and orientation of the news as it arose. As to the first point, it was stated that there had been few serious incidents arising from the publication in the press of material which should have been excluded. There had been breaches of the regulations without any serious effect on security but, where security issues had been raised, the indiscretion was not the fault of the Press. It seemed that there were good grounds for resisting any measures serious an attack on the civil liberties of the Press as to be justified only in extreme emergency.
It was finally decided to advise the Minister that he should take powers now enabling him to apply the scheme drawn up vis. Publication only of Government news, or news derived from the tapes, elimination of speculation and compulsory censorship should be exercised and it was suggested that this should be based on provisions laid down in the existing Defence Notice No. 5 (Annex 2), together with a provision that the Minister should have power to add to the list of compulsory subjects. The powers would be exercised by the Minister when he considered that the circumstance required it.
As to the delegation, Sir Walter Monckton considered that it would in effect be dominated by the French. It would be likely to fail since it would be attempting to resolve fundamental differences. It was, however, desirable to have something to offer M. Frossard and the possibility of improved communications e.g. a teleprinter between Paris and London was discussed. We might also offer a liaison officer in the Ministeres de Guerre, though this would require careful regulating in the light of Mr. Child's functions.
Sir Walter Monckton undertook to prepare a note for the use of the Minister at the Cabinet preliminary to his departure.
2.
ANGLO-FRENCH CO-OPERATION. ASSISTANCE TO EVACUEES
.
The Deputy Secretary reported that the Treasury had agreed to a grant of £25,000, subject to the condition that the French should agree to publicity forthwith. When they had agreed, the Foreign Office would arrange for a Private Notice Question. An appeal would then be launched either by Lord Derby's Committee or under the auspices of the Mansion House, and the B.B.C. would give facilities.
It was agreed that the Minister should be invited to mention this to M. Frossard and the Deputy Secretary undertook to prepare a note for the Minister.
3.
PASSES AND FACILITIES FOR ALIEN JOURNALISTS AND OTHERS
.
It was reported that a list of foreign journalists had been drawn up. The Home Office appeared to be very reluctant to make exceptions but Mr. Macadam was continuing to press them on the basis that we should concentrate on a limited number of individuals who should have facilities to travel about, including the use of their care. The position of the French community was also mentioned again.
4.
HOME MORALE EMERGENCY COMMITTEE
.
Sir Kenneth Clark reported that be and Mr. Macadam had visited Sir Horace Wilson the day before and at his request had drawn up a scheme for preparing the public for certain contingencies. Sir Horace Wilson had approved the draft with amendments and it was now being considered by a council of Ministers.
The Director General observed that the Minister had been requested to preside over a committee (the “Stay Put” Committee) charged with making known to the public their duties in these contingencies and there appeared to be a submitted and that the composition and terms of reference of the Wilson Committee should to ascertained.
5.
PRODUCTION OF THE FREEDOM [illegible] DEFEND
.
The[illegible] had been previously discussed and was now brought up again in view of the Minister's desires that normal long term policy should be continued. Mr. Waterfield [illegible] no decision should be taken until the Treasury had agreed to the Ministry's paper ration. A number of members of the Committee were in favour of the proposal as suitable in the present time. It was understood that the [illegible] Committee would shortly determine the Ministry's ration and a final decision was deferred accordingly.
